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COURSE CARE

An Old Fashioned Winter
February 27, 2015

An Old Fashioned Winter

By Jim Skorulski, Senior Agronomist
February 3, 2009

The abnormally cold January weather has resulted in an
old-fashioned winter of sorts. While the cold temperatures have
created a winter wonderland in the northern interior sections
of the region, those along the coast have experienced a wider
range of weather events that have led to multiple freezing and
thawing, and significant accumulations of ice. The weather
ahead promises to bring more snow, rain, and mixed
precipitation that should keep things interesting.

Heavy rains, followed by freezing
temperatures along coastal Massachusetts has encased greens
and other playing surfaces in a potentially damaging layer
of ice.

Superintendents with thick ice accumulations across their
golf course are in a quandary as to what to do with the ice
layer with the midway point of winter approaching. Here are a
few questions that you may find helpful while making the all
important decisions.

How long has the ice layer been in place?
The duration of ice cover can be a concern, especially on
poorly-drained, soil- based greens dominated by annual
bluegrass. However, even annual bluegrass can generally
tolerate three weeks of ice cover before any action is
taken.

Have you examined beneath the ice cover?
Although difficult, it is possible to saw or chisel through
an ice layer to sample for anoxic conditions. The anaerobic
smell is a telltale sign of potential problems and the need
to take action. Pull a sample turf plug while you are at it
to check for the turf's survival. Bring the turf plug indoors
to allow the grass to resume growth. You might find that the
plug already shows significant damage, in which case
immediate ice removal is less critical.

Is there an insulating snow cover over the ice?
A nice layer of snow is an excellent insulating blanket that
can offer protection from cold temperatures. In contrast, an
exposed layer of ice is not. Keep the snow in place at least
until temperatures moderate.

What is the long range weather forecast?
Long range forecast may not always be right, but they should
be considered when formulating plans to expose and remove
ice. Always work with the weather whenever possible. That is,
wait until temperatures climb near or above freezing and
night time low temperatures will not be extreme. It will make
the removal process easier and less damaging, and there will
less concern with the turf exposed to lethal cold
temperatures.

Do you have adequate resources to complete the major task
ahead of you?
Removing snow and ice layers from the putting greens requires
snow blowers, plenty of manual labor, and melting agents. Do
you have the means to carry out the extensive operation or
will additional staff have to be called back in. Perhaps your
efforts will be better spent targeting low pockets and other
problem areas to assure that water can move from the greens
when a natural thawing process occurs.

Unfortunately, there are no sure answers as to what should
be done with ice layers. So much depends on weather conditions
before, during, and immediately following the ice removal. It
is important to remember that ice related damage probably
occurs more often as result of the initial freezing action and
formation of ice crystals in the plant and not the duration of
ice cover. Pulling turf samples periodically from ice covered
greens will help determine if the damage has already taken
place and more importantly will further justify your management
decisions.

Contact Dave Oatis, Adam Moeller or me if you are concerned
about the winter conditions or are contemplating taking action.
For those of you traveling to the Golf Industry Show, stop-by
the Green Section booth in New Orleans where we will be happy
to discuss this good old-fashioned winter and any other turf
topics at hand.